In another wave of defection, 179 members of the Myanmar Border Guard Force (BGP) fled to Bangladesh through the Jamchari border area of Naikhongchari in Bandarban. According to sources from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local authorities, the exodus began on Monday afternoon, with 29 BGP members entering Bangladesh near pillar number 45 of the Jamchari border in Naikhongchari. Seeking shelter at the Jamchari border post of the 11th battalion of the Naikhonchari BGB, they were disarmed and provided refuge in Nurul Alam's tea garden.
The remote Jamchari border area, situated approximately 20 km away from Naikhongchari upazila Sadar, witnessed another influx of BGP members later in the day. By evening, 146 more BGP members crossed the border followed by an additional 4 individuals. In total, 175 members of the Myanmar border guarding force sought asylum in Bangladesh in a single day, having infiltrated from the Angthapaya camp in Myanmar on Monday.
Meanwhile, amidst the border tensions, a Union Parishad (UP) member named Saber Ahmad sustained injuries from firing originating from neighboring Myanmar in Naikhongchari. Ahmad was shot in the waist while conversing with local residents near the Jamchari Mosque around 4 pm on Monday. After receiving initial treatment, he was transferred to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital for further medical attention.
Nurul Abshar, chairman of Naikhongchari Sadar Union Parishad, shed light on the ongoing clashes between the country's junta forces and the Arakan Army (AA), a rebel armed organization based in Rakhine State. He noted that the skirmishes have intensified in recent days, prompting some junta forces to flee to Bangladesh in search of sanctuary from the conflict with the AA.
It is worth mentioning that on February 15, 330 individuals, including Myanmar border guards and armed forces members who had sought refuge in Rakhine state, were repatriated to Myanmar.
Comment: